Stand by Natalie: Surgery & Recovery

Hi,

My name is Tammy Ayers, and I am the aunt of Natalie Graham. I'm fundraising for Natalie's upcoming surgery, travel and recovery. Any donation or share truly means the world to us—thank you for your support during this difficult time. My Niece Natalie is a beautiful seven-year-old little girl, who just wants to be able to run, walk, sit, play etc.… alongside her peers without pain in her hips and her legs giving out every day. Natalie is not only a beautiful little girl on the outside but on the inside… she always thinks of others, asking everyone else if they are ok. She is always ready to help anyone that may need it within her seven-year-old ability. Natalie loves school, coloring and crafts being her favorite. She’s very artistic. Natalie has a sweet two-year-old baby brother Elijah and two loving parents Charles & Amanda Graham who want the best for their children, especially health, as any good parent would.

Natalie began showing signs of something wrong with her legs, she would often fall, limp, drag her foot, especially her left leg and foot. These symptoms would gradually worsen over time and begin causing Nat Pain. Her parents, of course concerned when they first began to see these changes, they right away took her to see her pediatrician. Natalie’s pediatrician advised them this would pass that it was like “growing Pains” and gave the impression to her parents that this was nothing to be concerned about. When her parents took her again on another day to the pediatrician still feeling concerned, the pediatrician diagnosed Natalie with Genu valgum also known as “knock knees” and stated that she would more than likely grow out of it. Trusting their pediatrician, they did as she said at that time. Fast forward a little Natalie began showing more signs of pain, limping, falling, unable to play like her peers, asking to take breaks when walking short distances. Her parents felt this did not seem like “knock knees” as they had been told. Even Natalie’s teacher began seeing the struggles she was having at school with walking, her legs giving out, unable to play and run as the other children.

Diagnosis: Natalies parents then took her to get X-Rays and come to find out Natalie had most certainly been misdiagnosed. Immediately after the x-rays her parents were told “your daughter has bilateral hip dysplasia, and it’s severe”. Natalie was immediately referred to a surgeon in Roanoke, Va. Upon visiting this surgeon in Roanoke and she takes a closer look at Natalie, her x-rays, Ct-scan, and proceeds to do an MRI-Scan. The surgeon proceeds to tell her parents this is a severe case, one leg longer than the other, the left hip socket is deficient and underdeveloped. Natalie’s left hip ball is literally sitting in the wrong place, it’s shocking to see how severe it is. As her parents sit in the surgeon’s office hearing this with great pain in their hearts… it gets worse. The Surgeon in Roanoke said she is unable to do the surgery that Natalie needs and due to the severity and type of surgery Natalie needs there are only a couple surgeons in the country that can do this type of surgery. The closest surgeon that can do this is in Philadelphia, PA… Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Upcoming Surgery Details: Natalie was taken to see her referred Surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in PA for her consultation and to set up her surgery date which will be in July 2025. We have been told Natalie will be unable to walk for a while, she will need physical therapy, learning how to walk again. Natalie will have to do homebound for school for a good while in the upcoming school year. Natalie will need many medical devices/equipment during her long journey of recovery. Natalie will eventually need a full hip replacement in her future we have been told by the surgeon. For now, they are trying to give Natalie the best opportunity to have less pain, and better mobility as she continues to grow. This has all been so overwhelming for her parents and family members.

I’m asking first and foremost for your prayers for our Sweet Natalie before, during and after surgery. I’m also coming to you to ask for your help and support for Natalie Financially as this has hit the family hard and quickly. The financial help greatly needed will be for Natalie’s medical bills which is already growing quickly, the gas/travel to and from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in PA, which is 7 hours one way 14 hours round that’s with no stops, hotel stays per visit, for surgery week Natalie could be there as long as 5 to 7 days. There will be several of these trips to PA, medical equipment needed for a long recovery. Any Donation help small or large will be greatly appreciated more than words can express. If anyone has further questions, I will be glad to answer to the best of my ability. I will also try to post any updates as soon as available, especially during and after Natalie's surgery.

Thank you so much.

Tammy Ayers,

God Bless